HUM Audio N-TROPHY (Analog Console — Patchbay) is the variant of HUM Audio's flagship N-TROPHY console featuring a built-in XLR combo socket patchbay — as distinct from the Bantam TT patchbay version available separately with a surcharge. The N-TROPHY is a fully discrete, modular analog in-line console, hand-built in Poland. Designed as the core of a modern hybrid or fully analog studio, its channel strips carry a tube optical compressor, an original 6-band passive EQ, a THD stage, an insert matrix, and stereo width modules. The Center Section delivers mastering-grade tooling: a tube optical master compressor running NOS Mullard tubes, a 6-band passive master EQ, a 256-position relay-switched monitor volume control, four monitor output pairs, and a zero-loss summing matrix based on Jensen JE990 discrete opamps.
XLR combo patchbay — integration without Bantam TT costs
The built-in XLR combo patchbay is standard on the N-TROPHY at no additional cost. XLR combo sockets represent the optimal choice for electrical contact quality and compatibility with existing studio cables and instruments. Bantam TT patchbays in large-format consoles typically add 10–15% to the total console price — the N-TROPHY eliminates this cost entirely. The patchbay is assembled in 2U rack modules that can be unscrewed from the console frame and installed remotely — on a wall or in studio furniture — by connecting to the N-TROPHY via custom cables supplied by HUM Audio. Both the channel EQ and tube compressor are accessible from the patchbay for external use, each independently switchable via a toggle between INT(MIX) and EXT(XLR) operation. All channel I/O, the master section, and four Class-A headphone outputs are brought out to the patchbay.
Channel architecture and Center Section
Each in-line channel strip features a mic/line preamp (XLR mic, XLR tape, XLR/jack line inputs), insert send/return XLR, direct out XLR, and a complete processor chain: tube optical compressor, 6-band passive EQ with HPF/LPF on rotary switches (perfectly recallable settings, perfectly matched across channels), THD stage, and an insert matrix with freely configurable processor order. The Center Section provides four stereo group buses with stereo width, aux sends, inserts with dry/wet blending, 8 mono aux sends per group, 8 aux returns with volume and pan, passive master EQ, tube optical master compressor on NOS Mullard tubes, 3-point insert matrix, an M/S matrix with freely assignable encoder/decoder, and moving fader DAW automation supporting up to 32 faders. Modularity spans from 0 to 64 channel strips, giving up to 136 inputs at mixdown.
KEY FEATURES
- Fully discrete modular analog in-line console, hand-built in Poland
- XLR combo patchbay — standard at no additional cost; 2U rack modules, remotely mountable
- Channel EQ and tube compressor available on patchbay for external use (INT/EXT toggle per processor)
- Tube optical compressor per channel on NOS Mullard tubes
- Original 6-band passive EQ + HPF/LPF on rotary switches (full recallability, matched channels)
- THD stage per channel — deliberate harmonic coloration
- Insert matrix per channel with freely configurable processor order
- Stereo width modules per channel and per group bus (Stereo/M-S)
- 4 stereo group buses with aux, inserts with dry/wet blend, and stereo width
- Tube optical master compressor (NOS Mullard) in Center Section
- 6-band passive master EQ with inserts in Center Section
- M/S matrix with freely assignable encoder/decoder in main mix chain
- 256-position relay-switched monitor volume control — 4 monitor pairs + Main Phones
- Moving fader DAW automation up to 32 faders (channels and/or groups)
- Zero-loss summing matrix based on Jensen JE990 discrete opamps
- +/-24V power supply, custom double-shielded toroidal transformer
- Modular: 0–64 channel strips (up to 136 inputs at mixdown)
- Option: Bantam TT patchbay available with surcharge as a separate variant
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: fully discrete modular analog in-line console with XLR combo patchbay
- Patchbay: XLR combo (standard); Bantam TT (optional, surcharge)
- Inputs per channel: Mic In (XLR), Tape In (XLR), Line In (XLR/Jack), Insert Return (XLR)
- Outputs per channel: Insert Send (XLR), Direct Out (XLR)
- Processors per channel: Tube Optical Compressor (NOS Mullard), 6-band Passive EQ, THD Stage, Insert Matrix
- Center Section: Tube Optical Master Compressor, 6-band Passive Master EQ, 3-insert Insert Matrix, M/S Matrix, Stereo Width
- Monitoring: 256-position relay-switched volume, 4 monitor pairs, Main Phones, 4x Class-A headphone outputs
- Group buses: 4 stereo with Stereo Width, Aux, Insert, Dry/Wet Blend
- Aux: 8 Mono Aux Sends per group, 8 Aux Returns with Volume/Pan, 8 Aux Masters with HPF/LPF
- Automation: moving fader, up to 32 faders, DAW-controlled
- Summing: zero-loss matrix on Jensen JE990 discrete opamps
- Power: +/-24V, custom double-shielded toroidal transformer
- Dimensions (16ch): W 180 cm, D 117 cm, H 110 cm (each additional bay adds 57 cm width)
- Configurations: 8, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64 channels (up to 136 inputs at mixdown)
- Production: hand-built, Poland
